Is it a mistake to put modern lenses on film cameras?

[StepheKoontz]

... and I own at least three lenses which are incompatible with my F100 (Sigma 14-24mm, Sigma 100-400mm, Tamron 24-70mm VC)...

I would venture to say any of the 3rd party lenses made for dSLR's are going to have issues with any of the film bodies due to the way they have to reverse engineer the data interface between the camera/lens. They likely never tested them on older cameras.

 

[Chan Tran]

If you're talking about Nikon then the newest lenses are E type lenses which won't work with even the newest film camera. If your film camera is the older manual focus type even G lenses won't work. Even AF-D which would work but still the focusing isn't as smooth as the old AI lenses.

 

[benveniste]

I would venture to say any of the 3rd party lenses made for dSLR's are going to have issues with any of the film bodies due to the way they have to reverse engineer the data interface between the camera/lens. They likely never tested them on older cameras.

The 3 lenses I mentioned use an electronically controlled diaphragm, just like Nikon 'E' lenses. So the lack of compatibility is expected.

My other 3rd party lenses are older. While some had compatibility issues, first with the D200, then the D800, and finally with the latest D800 firmware, all of them worked fine on the F100. Here's a rundown of 3rd party AF lenses which did work on the F100:

• Sigma 12-24mm Mk I -- Failed to work with the latest D800 firmware and Sigma wouldn't (or couldn't) upgrade the lens firmware. Traded for the 14-24mm.
• Sigma 28mm f/1.8 -- Switched to the Nikkor G lens. (Also works on the FA)
• Sigma 180mm f/3.5 -- Same as Sigma 12-24mm. Sold to private party. (Also worked on the FA)
• Sigma 150-500mm f/4~6.3 -- Worked until it fell on the floor from about 4'. Currently at Sigma to determine if it's worth repairing.
• Tamron 180mm f/3.5 -- Still own "Screwdriver" replacement for the Sigma (Works on the FA)
• Tokina 20-35mm f/2.8 -- Switched to a 17-35mm Nikkor (Works on the FA)
• Tokina 28-70mm f/2.6~2.8 -- Switched to the Tamron (Works on the FA)